CT United Ride demonstrates the brotherhood of firefighters

They roared into Bridgeport's Seaside Park by the hundreds.

Two-wheel bikes, three-wheel bikes, Japanese, American, the din from their engines reverberating off the cement arch as they entered the park two by two. Many waved small American flags as they went by.

"I've been doing this 10 years, and I've never seen as many motorcycles as this," said Dennis Novak, of Teamsters Local 145, one of the organizers of the CT United Ride.

"I think a lot of them came because of the two fallen firefighters."

A total of 2,500 bikers, many of them firefighters and police from throughout Fairfield County, gathered for the 10th annual event last Sunday. The 60-mile ride through 10 area towns, beginning in Norwalk, honored Bridgeport Firefighter Michel Baik and Lt. Steven Velasquez, who were killed July 24 fighting a house fire in Bridgeport's West Side.

Many of the riders wore T-shirts memorializing the two Bridgeport firefighters.

"It's a fitting tribute," said Gene O'Neill, program security supervisor, as he watched the riders zoom by in their gleaming machines.

For 10 years, the CT United Ride has been raising money for firefighters and emergency personnel killed and injured in the terrorist destruction of the World Trade Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. However, this year's ride was also dedicated to the two fallen Bridgeport firefighters.

Following the parade into Seaside Park, the motorcyclists gathered around the park's bathhouse, which had been set up as a mini fairground with food vendors, motorcycle gear and craft dealers.

In one tent, members of Bridgeport Fire Department Ladder 11, the firehouse of Velasquez and Baik, busily collected donations and sold T-shirts on behalf of the families of the two firefighters.

"The support has been overwhelming, tremendous," fire Lt. Ron Rolfe said.

"This just proves what great guys Steve and Mike were."

Earlier in the day, at the start of the event, a sea of denim-clad and leather-booted bikers packed their motorcycles into long rows of chrome and steel at Norwalk's Norden Industrial Park.

Bobby Whitbread, head of the Bridgeport firefighter's union, talked about how the city's engine companies were pulling together to help the families of Baik and Velasquez over the longer haul.

At the far end of Norden Industrial Park, two ladder trucks from New Canaan and Norwalk hoisted an enormous American flag several stories high, forming an impromptu archway.

"We really put the word out about this hoping to get as many people as we could," Whitbread said.

"We want to take care of the families now that these guys aren't around."

From Norwalk, the ride cruised through Westport, Wilton, Georgetown, Redding, Bethel, Monroe, Trumbull and Fairfield before concluding in Seaside Park.

A party atmosphere prevailed, as loud rock music by Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses and Lynyrd Skynyrd blasted over loudspeakers, though participants spoke reverently about Baik and Velasquez and the jobs that police and firefighters do.

Before the ride began, elected local and state officials and the wives and children of Baik and Velasquez took part in a short ceremony that included prayers from Norwalk Fire Department Chaplain Rev. William Scheyd and speeches by Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia and other officials.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch asked the crowd to cheer for the families of Baik and Velasquez who attended, including Baik's wife, Laurie; his 12-year-old daughter, Margaret; and 16-year-old nephew, Spencer; and Velasquez's wife, Marianne; his 16-year-old son, Aaron; and his 1 1/2-year-old daughter, Selina.

"Please show them how much you care and that you appreciate the sacrifices that their families have made," Finch said.

Laurie Baik said she felt overwhelmed and soothed by the number of participants who came to take part in the event.

"It definitely provides a comfort to know that so many people care, and it helps tremendously," the 39-year-old Baik said.

"These have been very difficult days for us."

Moccia drew roaring applause when he declared that the procession of bikers would offer a visible testament to the memory of the Sept. 11 attacks and the ongoing sacrifices of firefighters, police and military personnel who sacrifice their lives.

"As the time goes by, the mist and clouds go over our memories," Moccia said.

"You will not let that veil fill our eyes, and our young people will not forget the sacrifices made by our first responders on Sept. 11 and those who continue to put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," he said.

Other public officials on hand who spoke were state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal; Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz; state Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk; Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley; and the Democratic candidate for governor, former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy.

Stamford Firefighter Mike Allegrini, 45, said the event is a demonstration of the patriotism and loyalty of both firefighters and bikers.

"We have a very deep brotherhood, and firefighters will drive across the country to honor each other," Allegrini said.

"Bikers are also a kind of brotherhood."